For Immediate Release
March 12, 2004
Please Contact: Colin Durrant (617)722-1650 or
Dalié Jiménez, 617-722-1650

Barrios and Curtatone Laud MBTA on Green Line Extension; Say Union Square Stop is Essential

SOMERVILLE, MA – Mayor Curtatone and Senator Jarrett Barrios today applauded the MBTA for approving a Green Line extension feasibility study while insisting a Union Square stop must be part of any planned addition to the line. They also said they would begin working immediately with the transit authority to plan public hearings on the matter and focus attention on the importance of the Union Square station.

"Access to public transportation is essential for families and commuters living in a densely populated community like Somerville," said Senator Barrios. "And the MBTA study is an important step forward in making the Green Line extension a reality for those hard working people."

On Thursday, the MBTA Board approved a $391,000 feasibility study and set the end of the year as a target date for completion. The study will consider extending the Green Line along three routes: alongside the Lowell commuter rail tracks through East Somerville, winding through Magoun and Ball Squares and on to Tufts ending in West Medford at Route 60; along the Fitchburg commuter rail tracks to Union Square; or along the Fitchburg route to Union Square and then across streets to the Lowell tracks and into Medford.

“We want the MBTA to get a clear message from Somerville – if the Green Line is running through Somerville, it’s stopping at Union Square,” said Curtatone. “It’s essential to the economic development of the square, which, in turn, is crucial to the long-term growth of the city.”

The MBTA hired Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, a Watertown consulting firm, to conduct the study. The extension project is a result of an agreement to expand transit in the metropolitan Boston area made in the early 1990s when the Big Dig was negotiated.

“This study is certainly the first step in the right direction,” Curtatone explained. “Senator Barrios and I are looking forward to assisting the MBTA in any way possible and drawing attention to the Union Square focus.”

Curtatone and Barrios said economic development of Union Square is one of the City’s top priorities, noting that the Square would serve as the retail, residential, and office anchor for the entire Inner Belt development area.

The two have begun working with the MBTA to create a steering committee that would help coordinate public support for potential Green Line stops.

“At this point, the intense interest from residents and the high number of potential riders from Union Square demonstrates to me that this is the optimal location for the Green Line to stop. Somerville residents want Union Sq., and that is what we will fight for.” Barrios pointed out.

Barrios and Curtatone said they plan to organize public support collaboratively in an effort to guide the MBTA to reaching the optimal plan for the community. “We are extremely focused on the state’s commitment to this project, and we want to see it implemented in a satisfactory way by the intended 2011. We are certain that the extension should be a light rail, not simply a bus line.” Curtatone said.

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